Letters: Wars and rumors of wars

LETTERS

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Remembering ...

WE are observing the third anniversary of one of the most shameful periods of American history. We should never forget what happened to those who were brave enough to oppose this illegal and immoral war. We should remember how they suffered ridicule and abuse, and how the government used its power to stifle their dissent. We should remember how there was plenty of money for tax cuts and corporate giveaways, but not enough for body or vehicle armor for our soldiers. Veterans need to receive the benefits that are now being denied them. The alternatives to these changes are simply unthinkable.

Rumsfeld's history

DONALD H. Rumsfeld's March 19 Outlook article, "RUMSFELD INSTRUCTS / What the Cold War can teach us now," that pointed to the Marshall Plan, failed to take into account a couple of key points. Aid through the Marshall Plan was used predominantly for the purchase of goods from the United States, since most European nations had all but exhausted their foreign reserves during the war. The Marshall Plan represented their means of importing goods from abroad.

We are not in the process of rebuilding Iraq or Afghanistan, but concentrating on rebuilding the oil fields. The Iraq war does not represent the Marshall Plan. Diplomatic efforts should not just be to monitor, but to transform societies into more functional members of the international community.

Media and bad news

A VERY sad situation is being caused by media and critics who are making an issue of a possible civil war in Iraq. Add to this the polls showing that only 39 percent of us approve of George W. Bush as our president and commander in chief. Now the latest news is that gas prices are rising again.

I sure would like to hear some of the facts on the Medicare savings we seniors are now experiencing; or about the decrease in taxes that allows small businesses to flourish; or that the unemployment rate is lower than in many years; or about how strong our economy is and how good things look for the future.

Will just now gets it

IN his March 19 column, "Three years later, Iraq is on a path toward disaster," George F. Will described the dangers of our Iraq policy as follows: "Iran's regime proceeds with its drive for nuclear weapons, unfazed by threats of isolation. North Korea has lately received less attention than have Denmark and Dubai." He quoted from Lt. Gen. Michael Maples: "Insurgents now represent a greater threat to the expansion of Afghan government authority than at any point since late 2001."

Way to go, Will! Many progressives gave such warnings three years ago, but were labeled un-American, unpatriotic, friends to terrorists, treasonous and so on in widespread public invective from conservatives.

Progressives argued that Iraq would tie our hands and prevent us from dealing with real threats. Many conservative pundits have seen the light — one wonders about their conversion, however, as it comes amid dramatic reductions in public support of the war. Are they trying to salvage what's left of their credibility by joining the bandwagon?

We should be listening to those who oppose the war for the right reasons.

JAMES CHAPMAN
Houston

It's unjust, immoral

THE war in Iraq was a terrible and costly mistake. The best thing we can do to support our troops is to bring them home as expediently as possible. Congress and the American people have been misled long enough, and for those who think we are better off here at home as a result of our quest in Iraq, I'd ask them to think again.

James Bryce, a notable British historian said, "Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity." The war in Iraq is unjust and inconsistent with Christian principles. It's time to end it.

What Evan needs and deserves

THE March 19 article "Evan's only wish" was sad but also hopeful.

This young man, who has been given so much to deal with in his young life, has chosen hope instead of despair.

Although he has plenty of reasons to be angry, and has acted out on that anger from time to time, he still has hope that there is an adoptive family out there for him — one that will give him a permanent home with all the love and support he needs and deserves.

Thank you to the Chronicle for sharing his story.

I hope it will move more people to think about foster parenting and adoption.

KATHY WILLIAMS
Katy

More politics and less health

THE Chronicle's March 18 editorial "Plan A / Von Eschenbach is the principled public servant the
Food and Drug Administration
needs at its head," about the delay in the confirmation of a new permanent head for the Food and Drug Administration, highlighted a sad situation from a number of perspectives.

Totally apart from the issue of the wisdom or morality of making a drug available is why it should take an act of Congress to decide. Every question about medical practice should not require a political resolution. The existence and authority of the FDA is a more vital question than who should administer it.

But until that changes, we will keep getting more politics and less health.